This will probably sound strange, but for a long time I have identified with the Cuban military commander. He devoted his entire life to the system, only to see the system crumble around him. He knows what they are doing is not working, yet he is unable to convince his superiors of the truth because their minds are already made up. Then, to add injury to insult they bring in this hot shit Speztnaz commander who supposedly has the answer., and of course he doesn't, he is just another yes-man. The world world weariness of the Cuban commander is demonstrated in his letter home at the end just before he goes outside in the snow is a scene that I have found very touching. Both he and Jed are used up.
One of my favorite all-time movies, another John Milius film I really liked:
The Wind and the Lion.
Mark